Moctezuma addressed Cortés in these words: “Our lord, you are very welcome in your arrival in this land. You have come to satisfy your curiosity about your noble city of Mexico.
What happened between Moctezuma and Cortés?
While Aztec emperor, Montezuma had a famous confrontation with Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés. He initially welcomed Cortés but, when unable to buy him off, laid a trap in Tenochtitlán. Cortés, however, took Montezuma prisoner, hoping to prevent an Aztec attack.
How did Montezuma view Cortés?
Montezuma’s decision to welcome Cortés into his city reflected his strength and intelligence, not his weakness. Years of reports of Spaniards along the coastline suggested they were in the Americas to stay. Even defeating Cortés outright would only delay the inevitable negotiations that must be made with the newcomers.
What did Montezuma give Cortés when they met?
Cortés placed a necklace of pearls and cut glass around the neck of Montezuma, but was held back by two lords when he tried to embrace the emperor. The Aztecs led the Spaniards into the heart of the city where Montezuma showered them with more gifts and then quartered them in sumptous apartments.
Why did Moctezuma let Cortés in?
He wanted to learn more about their world, and it’s not hard to imagine that one day, the Spanish could be part of his,” says Matthew Restall, author of When Montezuma Met Cortés. “If we want to fault him, his sense of his own authority was such that he was not able to see how extensive the Spanish threat was.”
What did Moctezuma II accomplish?
Moctezuma II was the most significant emperor of the Aztec Empire. Following the Aztec’s founding and construction of Tenochtitlan in the Valley of Mexico in 1325 AD, they quickly established their authority across the other societies in the valley.
What did Moctezuma say?
Are you Moctezuma?” And Moctezuma responded: “Yes, I am Moctezuma.” Then he stood up to welcome Cortés, to meet him face to face. He bowed his head low, stretched as far as he could, and stood firm. Then he addressed him in these words: “Our lord, you are very welcome in your arrival in this land.
Who did Montezuma believe Hernán Cortés was?
An unnerving series of coincidences led Montezuma to believe that perhaps Cortés was the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl, who had promised to return one day to reclaim his kingdom. Quetzalcoatl, “the feathered serpent,” stood for the solar light, the morning star. He symbolized knowledge, arts, and religion.
